What is a real estate agents time worth?

Real estate fees are most commonly a percentage based fee. REALTOR and real estate agent fees are based on the sellers ultimate selling price, and established at the time of listing for both the buyer and seller. Buyers agents fees are also typically percentage based at the time of “employment”. There are some different models out [...]

The Dual Agent Tango….

 So…you listed your home for sale after doing the thousand things YOUR agent suggested. You made it available to show on a minutes notice for several months. YOUR agent was by your side the whole time offering advice and guidance. Showings happen, rumors of offers, finally…an offer materializes! YOUR agent lets you know it’s someone he [...]

Condo and Townhome buyers (and SELLERS!) need to read this!

Attached is an article from the latest issue of the Virginia Association of REALTOS Commonwealth magazine. It is no secret that lending has gotten tighter the last few years. That being said, while the governement wants to appear as the superhero to rid the world of evil, sometimes the message is mixed! We have always [...]

WYSIWYG-Williamsburg Real Estate

WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET RIGHT? That’s true to some extent. Other axiom’s include “perception is reality” and “if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is”. The problem with real estate is everyone is an expert, afterall they have a license right? The girl who cuts my hair spent over [...]

Williamsburg Real Estate snapshot

6 year trend of single family detached home median sold price

“Statistics can be made …

“Statistics can be made to prove anything, even the truth”~author unkown
“98% of statistics are all made up”~author unkown
“114% of the people exagerate”~author unkown

In looking at the chart below there is no hiding the fact that prices have changed since early 2005. Does it paint a bleak picture or do you see a reason to be optimistic? Does it relate to any national statistics or media report you’ve heard? Is there enough information there for you to relate to your current housing situation whether buying or selling?

Those answers are all up to YOU. Don’t look for the media, the government or me for that matter give you the answers you want to hear. Personally, I try to present what you NEED to hear.There are too many factors that come in to play to ever come to a one sided conclusion as to what is happening in “the market”. There is a positive and negative conclusion to any statistic you read.

“The market” has changed. It will change tomorrow, and it will change next year. What price range you are selling in and what price range you are buying in and your location are the two biggest factors a buyer or seller has to consider. Then the timing of a move is critical, follwed by your back up plan or options. If plan A doesn’t work what’s your plan B-and you’d better have one or two back up plans!

Your REALTOR should educate you long before you ever list your home for sale, and your BUYERS AGENT should also be doing a lot of research for you before you ever get in the car to go look at houses. Buyers and sellers need to get a picture of “their market”, not “the market”. Do your research and hire a professional who can help you with research and reality. You’ll make a better purchase decision or have a more successful and less stressful listing transaction.

Condo and Townhome buyers (and SELLERS!) need to read this!

Attached is an article from the latest issue of the Virginia Association of REALTOS Commonwealth magazine. It is no secret that lending has gotten tighter the last few years. That being said, while the governement wants to appear as the superhero to rid the world of evil, sometimes the message is mixed! We occassionally have had [...]

Williamsburg Police annual report

2011_FY_Annual_Report JCC police James City County is a great community to live in. Attached is the JCC police annual report. You’ll find our crime statistics well below the national and state averages! Williamsburg and James City County is a great place to raise a family.

How’s the market in Williamsburg?

The term “real estate is local” is often missing from the stats and discussions regarding the “real estate market”. When it is included, it is usually hidden in the text or authors commentary. In my opinion, and I have many, that is one of the major causes for misperception, mistrust and confusion by the consumer [...]

How to hire the best REALTOR for you!

It seems as though every third person you meet might be a real estate agent,knows a real estate agent, or perhaps, used to be a real estate agent. There was time when every other person was a real estate agent. They said in California in 2005 if you were pulled over by the CHP, they [...]